Changeable target disk game



NOV. 10, 1964 v s, RUCKER I 3,156,467

CHANGEABLE TARGET DISK GAME Filed Aug. 17, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN!" OR 15012510 .5. Kalli 5 ATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1964 s. RUCKER 3,156,467

CHANGEABLE TARGET DISK GAME Filed Aug. 17, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY BY W6! United States Patent 3,156,457 CHANGEAELE TAR-GET DESK GAME Leonard S. Rucher, Swansea, 8.6. (R0. Box 385, North, S.C.)

Filed Aug. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 217,576 6 Ciaiins. (til. 273-426) This invention relates to a game table, and has as its primary object the provision of an improved foldable game table characterized by means whereby the playing surface may be interchanged, so that a plurality of games may be played thereon.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a game table characterized by side walls having cushions therealong, as well as an end wall having a similar cushion, whereby a game played with discs or similar playing members may be increased in interest by causing the discs to rebound or ricochet from the cushions.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of a game table of this character having a smooth playing surface permanently associated therewith, and an adjacent removable panel comprising an additional playing surface which sits flush with the fixed playing surface in a substantially identical plane, the line of demarcation between the fixed and removable surfaces being so fine as not to interfere with the passage of a disc or playing member thereover.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for aligning the removable panels of the game in exact relationship with the fixed playing surface.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a game table of this character which may be folded relatively flat, whereby the same may be stored in a limited space, and set up with a minimum of effort and diificulty.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of means in association with a game table of this character wherein the removable portion of the playing surface may be removed and replaced with a minimum of time, effort and difficulty so that the game being played on the table may be interchanged as desired and substantially without interruption.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which provides, in a single table,

a relatively large number of games which may be played thereon, thus enhancing the interest and entertainment value of the article.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of game table embodying the instant inventive concept shown in assembled or playing position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1, taken from the opposite direction, and showing one of the removable game panels thereof in the course of insertion to playing position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a one which may be employed in playing any one or more of the multiplicity ddEhAh? Patented Nov. 10, 1964 of games which may be played with the instant game table.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one form of playing disc which may be employed.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the disc of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one form of removable panel adapted for playing one type of game, and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another form of panel, which may be the reverse side of the panel of FIG. 7, which may be employed for playing a different type of game.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at 16 one form of table embodying features of the instant invention, which comprises a base 11, which is provided at one end with a fixed playing panel 12 having a smooth top surface 13, over which playing pieces may slide smoothly in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Panel 12 is bounded on opposite sides by walls or side rails 1 which are provided with longitudinally extending inserts 15, of rubber or similar resilient material, and top rails 16, which are suitably secured thereto by means of brads, screws, or the like, for holding the rubber inserts 15 in position, (see FIG. 3). Rails 14 terminate at 17, adjacent a foul line 1% marked transversely of the playing surface, beyond which is a starting zone 20 which is co-planar with the surface 13, and which provides a space from which the playing pieces may be slid onto the playing surface 13 in any direction, either to move straight therealong toward the opposite end of the table, or to ricochet or rebound from the rubber cushions 15, in accordance with the game being played and the rules thereof. Side rails 14 have depending portions 21 adjacent the surface 269, which, with a fiat bottom portion 22 define a space 23 for playing pieces.

Space 23 is divided by partitions 23a into a series of compartments, each of which is designed to contain a different type or color of playing pieces, which pieces will be described hereinafter, and is closed by a closure panel 23b which is hinged at its lower edge by means of a hinge 230. Any suitable latch or fastener 23d may be used to retain panel 23b in closed position.

The playing pieces, in the preferred embodiment of the instant invention include relatively short tapered cues 24, which may be of any suitable length, and which are used to propel disc-like members 25. As best shown in FIG. 6, the disc-like members 25 are concaved as at 26 on their bottom surfaces to facilitate the smooth sliding thereof over the playing surface.

in play, the discs 25 may be propelled by hand, or may be impelled by the cues 24, which are similar to billiard ones, but which are materially shorter. A preferred length of one is approximately thirty-six inches, although longer or shorter cues may be employed if desired.

Fixed panel 12 terminates in a fiat perpendicular surface 27, which depends to the bottom 11 of the table, and which is adapted to be engaged by the adjacent flat perpendicular surface of a removable game panel 29, the fixed and removable panels meeting in a line in substantially flush relation as at 3% (see FIG. 1), so that a smooth and uninterrupted playing surface 13 and 31 is 3 provided. Removable panel 29 is supported between side rails 14 by means of transverse slats 32 which in turn support longitudinally extending flat bars 33, the edges of panels 29 engaging beneath strips 15 and slidably abutting side rails 14.

An end wall 37 is fixedly secured to the ends 3; of side rails 14, and is provided with a slot through which any selected one of a plurality of panels 23 may be inserted with either face up for playing a plurality of games. he removable panel 2% is inserted firmly to insure the tight conjunction of the ends of the fixed and removable respectively. End wall 37 is also provided with an inset rubber cushion 45 which is substantially ide "cal to the previously described rubber cushions 15 of side walls l-t, the cushion being held in place by a top strip as identical to the top strips 16.

Table 1% is preferably supported on foldable legs 59 connected by transverse braces 51 and pivotally mounted on the under side of the table, the legs being held in erect position by pivotally interconnected braces 52 of conventional design, so that they may be folded fiat against the underside thereof when not in use.

It is to be understood that removable panel 29 is rectangular in shape and may, if desired, be provided with guide grooves which align with guide rails to insure alignment of the removable panel in the space provided therefor, although such rails and grooves are not essential. There may also be provided a plurality of removable panels which may be provided with any desired game playing indicia. As best shown in FIG. 7, panel 29 is illustratively provided with five playing zones 63, 61, e2, 63 and 64, each of which is progressively wider than the adjacent zone towards the starting line in the playing of this particular game each zone is assigned a numerical value, as for example 50, 4G, 3G, it). One of the zones, illustratively the zone having the value 20, is provided with a plurality of printed circles :35, each of which may be imprinted in a different color.

In the play of the game a plurality of discs 25', illustratively six, are issued to each player, the discs of each player being of a different color. In accordance with one form of play each player in succession propels a d c, either by hand or by the use of the cue 24, toward one of the playing zones 60-64, and the position in which the disc lands indicates his score. The next successive player may, however, by striking the disc of the previous player, remove it from a higher scoring zone to a lower scoring zone, or completely remove it from the scoring zone. After each player has shot a predetermined number of discs, the scores are totalled, and the player having the highest score wins. in another form of the game a playing disc may be positioned on each of the circles 65, and each player allowed to shoot successively a predeterm ned number of playing discs, in an endeavor to knocl: the discs of his opponent out of the colored circle. At the conclusion of the predetermined number of shots the discs remaining in contact with their own colored circle 65 are counted and the winner is determined thereby. A contact of the edge of the disc with the edge of the circle is all that is necessary in playing this form of the game, although in other forms of the game, as in that previously described, the rules may be prescribed that the entire disc lie within the scoring zone in order to be scored, or alternatively that if any portion of the disc is in a lower scoring zone only the lower score may be counted.

An additional illustrative form of playing panel is shown in FIG. 8 at 29a, which may or may not constitute the reverse side of panel 29, and includes a smooth playing surface 31a. rality of rows of circles of different sizes are suitably imprinted on the top surface 31a of the panel as indicated at as, 67, 68, 69, 7d, '71 and 72. Each circle of a row is of a different color, and certain of the circles may be marked with an indicia such as F for tree, or R for In this form of the invention, a plu- Remove. The entire row )2 of circles may carry such indicia, while the other rows may carry alternate Free and Remove circles at different positions along the transverse length thereof. The other circles are numbered in accordance with their colors with the colors and numerals being staggered transversely across the board. In this form of game each player shoots sequentially up to six discs, and endeavors to strike the smaller or closest circles corresponding in color and number to his own discs in sequence. It is an object of the succeeding player to remove the previous players discs from the higher scoring position to the lower, or out of scoring range entirely, the Free circles permitting the player a free throw, while the Remove circles cause the disc landing thereon to be removed from the playing board.

Obviously the discs be fired either straight toward the playing surface or at any angle from the surface 20 to ricochet off the cushions 15, or rebound from the end cushion 45.

Similarly, the panels 25 and 25m are merely illustrative of a wide range and variety of game panels which may be substituted one for another, and which may allow a wide variety of games to be played on the table of the instant invention.

Equally obvious, while in both of the illustrative embodiments herein shown, printed indicia has been indicated on the top surfaces of the panels, it will be understood that depresscd areas may be employed, and that, in place of the discs hereinbefore described, balls may be used to come to rest in such depre scd are s.

It will also be readily apparent that while a wide variety of panels may be employed, that the rules may be adapted to the particular conditions in accordance with the number of players or other factors as desired.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided an improved game table which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and high entertainment value.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A game table comprising an elongated substantially rectangular base including side walls and one end wall having a transverse slot extending substantially the full width thereof, legs supporting said base, a fixed horizontal panel mounted on said base and having a fiat top surface and terminating at an intermediate point of said side walls spaced from said end wall, said flat top surface being below the top of said walls, the upper portions of said side walls being cut away adjacent the end of said fixed panel remote from said end wall to leave a flat unwalled end portion of a substantial extent to provide straight and angular access for a cue to propel a playing piece in either a longitudinal or angular direction relative to the longitudinal extent of the panel, said side walls having horizontal grooves therein aligned with said fixed panel, and supporting members horizontally aligned with the bottom of said fixed panel extending across the space between said fixed panel and said end Wall, and a removable reversible panel having one set of indicia on one side and a second set of indicia on the other side insertiblc through said slot into said grooves to rest on said supporting members, said removable panel having a flat top surface co-planar and flush with the llat top surface of said fixed panel.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the portion of said side and end walls extending above said panels is covered with resilient material.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said legs are foldable.

4. The structure of claim 2. wherein the under side of said fixed panel is formed with a recess therein adjacent said end opposite said end wall for the reception and storage of game playing components.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said recess is formed with partitions defining compartments for the reception of different types and colors of game pieces.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said recess is provided With a hinged closure plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,349,587 Smith et a1 Aug. 17, 1920 6 Clement June 2, 1925 Hopper Dec. 31, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS France Feb. 4, 1935 Germany Oct. 16, 1940 Canada Sept. 12, 1961 

1. A GAME TABLE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BASE INCLUDING SIDE WALLS AND ONE END WALL HAVING A TRANSVERSE SLOT EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL WIDTH THEREOF, LEGS SUPPORTING SAID BASE, A FIXED HORIZONTAL PANEL MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND HAVING A FLAT TOP SURFACE AND TERMINATING AT AN INTERMEDIATE POINT OF SAID SIDE WALLS SPACED FROM SAID END WALL, SAID FLAT TOP SURFACE BEING BELOW THE TOP OF SAID WALLS, THE UPPER PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE WALLS BEING CUT AWAY ADJACENT THE END OF SAID FIXED PANEL REMOTE FROM SAID END WALL TO LEAVE A FLAT UNWALLED END PORTION OF A SUBSTANTIAL EXTENT TO PROVIDE STRAIGHT AND ANGULAR ACCESS FOR A CUE TO PROPEL A PLAYING PIECE IN EITHER A LONGITUDINAL OR ANGULAR DIRECTION RELATIVE TO THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF THE PANEL, SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING HORIZONTAL GROOVES THEREIN ALIGNED WITH SAID FIXED PANEL, AND SUPPORTING MEMBERS HORIZONTALLY ALIGNED WITH THE BOTTOM OF SAID FIXED PANEL EXTENDING ACROSS THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID FIXED PANEL AND SAID END WALL, AND A REMOVABLE REVERSIBLE PANEL HAVING ONE SET OF INDICIA ON ONE SIDE AND A SECOND SET OF INDICIA ON THE OTHER SIDE INSERTIBLE THROUGH SAID SLOT INTO SAID GROOVES TO REST ON SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERS, SAID REMOVABLE PANEL HAVING A FLAT TOP SURFACE CO-PLANAR AND FLUSH WITH THE FLAT TOP SURFACE OF SAID FIXED PANEL. 